Living at the Pool

Whew! I just got back from the pool for the third time today! Two swimming lessons this morning and then a trip for fun this afternoon. I'm pooped.

John David went off a diving board for the first time today. It seems like every day the boy is doing something new for the first time. He's at an age where he can finally do so many more things. It's such fun to watch (and a little sad too). He went off the diving board over and over and over again. He had a blast!

Julia wore a life jacket and swam back and forth in the not so deep part most of the time. Every few feet she would wave to me and call out, "Mommy!" I would wave back to her and smile and clap. When she reached the end she would get out and run over to ask if she did good and if she was fast. So adorable.

They both enjoyed having their cousin with us too. He's 12 years old and is from Arkansas. He is going to go to camp with John David next week so he and his mom came in a week early to visit. John David hasn't stopped following him around. Poor guy!

We might go again tomorrow and take Aulora too. I just wasn't sure if I could handle both girls by myself today since the pool doesn't allow floaties, but since they had life jackets I think I can do it. So the house isn't quite so clean today and the laundry needs to be done and Aulora still has pigtails from yesterday, but we're busy making some memories. Who really cares? =)

I love you, Daddy

I only got to talk to my dad for a couple of minutes today. I was, of all things on father's day, at a birthday party at an arcade kind of place. It was so noisy and chaotic - not the best surroundings for a meaningful phone call. I told him I'd call later, but later never came as I was swallowed by the busyness that comes with four young kids, company, dinner, and bedtime. And even though he's an hour earlier than I am, when I was finally able to call, I was pretty sure he was sound asleep. I hope he didn't go to sleep thinking about how his little girl didn't call him back. She wanted to.

Dad, I know you're not perfect, but that doesn't bother me. It makes me love you more. You are so special to me and always will be. I love how you can make me laugh and I love how the littlest things can make you cry. I love it that I can depend on you still even though I'm almost 30 years old and have my own kids. You have been so supportive and generous. You are wonderful! We have lots of fun when we're together and I can't wait to come see you in a few weeks. Wish we could have been together on this Father's Day. I love you!!! Lala

June 16th is finally here

June 16th is a day we've been waiting on for months now. Anything and everything that I want to do or have done has been promised to me for the day after June 16th. Why? The LSAT test is tomorrow. John has been working and studying and going to prep classes for what seems like FOREVER to prepare for this test. It's a huge thing if you're going to go to law school - as in, if you don't do well on this test, you don't go to law school, huge. And how well you do totally determines which law school you can go to. And which school you go to greatly affects your career once you're done. So you can see why this test is SO big.

I asked him tonight if he was nervous. He said no. He sat at the dining room table reading over the instructions for the day of the test again. He gathered all of his #2 pencils, his id, some other important papers, and a snack and put them all in a big ziplock bag like the instructions said. He wanted his back rubbed next. I'm not too good at that but I did my best. I hugged him really super tight and said good night as he left for his grandma's house where he's hoping to get a good, uninterrupted night's sleep. Now he's gone and I have butterflies for him. This is BIG.

Life has just been so difficult lately and this test is a big step towards where we're going - towards where we've been called to go. In one year's time we'll be packing up and starting the next big chapter of our lives. It feels like everything is and has been on hold since we moved here. Not having your own house or a job will do that to you! But once the LSAT is over we'll have a job again (law school won't start until fall of '09) and soon our own place I think.

During the month of July John will actually be interning at the court of appeals in Eastland. That's the court that's handling the Eldorado case now, so it will be great experience. He's really excited about it and it will look good on his school applications too. What's even better is that while he's doing that, the kids and I will be in Colorado with my family! Yea!!!

If he feels like he hasn't done well on the test tomorrow, he has up to 3 weeks to cancel his score without it going on his record. (They don't just take your highest score.) He would then take the test again in September. I'm really praying that he does well tomorrow - we're ready to have our daddy back!!! I am confident though. If anyone can do it, my man can.....

I thought I should warn you.....

the next post is long, tiring, a bit whiny and negative, and makes it sound like I don't like being a mommy. Don't worry, I do. If you don't want to read it, that's ok. BUT, it will probably serve as great birth control for the rest of you! hehehe

I Quit

Ok, not really, BUT today has been one of those days that make a momma feel like resigning. I'm trying to think of an entertaining way to write all that's happened but, honestly, I'm just too stinkin' worn out! Here's a run down of the last day (keep in mind that I have been single parenting since Monday as Daddy's been gone for classes - his last week....YEA! - and the grandparents are gone for Sandy's shoulder surgery - it was today and it went good):

• Since everyone else is gone, I got to take care of not just my children but the dogs as well. I got up at 6:30 to put them out. Then I fed Joshua. Then Aulora woke up and I got her a bottle of milk. Next I fed the dogs and put them out again. All the kids were asleep at this point but it was time to get dressed. I had to wake them up! Never mind "never wake a sleeping baby". We had a playdate!
  
• The playdate was fun - no complaints on that one! It was wonderful company and the kids enjoyed getting out of the house. I'm sad my friend is moving in less than a month though. =( So I guess that's the gripe on this bullet.
  
• I got the girls ready to go to ballet but somebody squealed or screamed - don't remember which - and it scared the poo out of poor little Joshua and he wouldn't stop hollering and crying for the next 25 minutes. It was too late for ballet by then.
  
• I woke up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain - childbirth kind. That was fun.
• At some point this morning, Julia went potty and forgot to lock the baby proof lock back to keep Aulora out of the bathroom (at least she went in the toilet, right?). I didn't know the door wasn't locked so I thought Aulora was just playing in their bedroom as I nursed Joshua to sleep. (I bet you can see where this is going.) I soon discovered that precious little child having quite a fun time in the potty. There was soggy toilet paper everywhere and she was sopping wet. I was not thrilled. If I had only had my camera to capture the look on her face as she was being corrected. She does not get a rebellious or defiant look at all when she's in trouble. She looks down in absolute shame. It's just so adorable it's hard to not squeeze her and laugh.
• As a result of the potty party, I put both girls in the bathtub downstairs to get clean. I decided to clean the bathroom while they played in the tub. It's a huge bathroom so it was a VERY long bath! What a productive hour that was though.
• Aulora needed a second bath after eating pizza for lunch. (I'm not saying she got one, just that she needed one.)
• We went to church early since I was filling in for Sandy. I finally got smart and took the double stroller in to use. It's a big building and their classes are not close together. That was one of the smartest ideas I've had in a long time. Yea for the big stroller!
  
• After church Julia got in the van first. I was getting the babies out of the stroller when she starting hollering for me. "Mommy, I've got to go potty!!!" I was panic stricken because if you know Julia you know that you don't have more than about 10 seconds to get to a potty. I searched the van for a cup but couldn't find one. I looked over and saw that Aulora was holding her sippy cup in the stroller. I ran and grabbed it and dumped the juice out but it was too late. Julia had already peed all over her booster seat. (Crud. That reminds me that it's still sitting out in the car and I have to wash it. Boo.)
• Joshua was screaming because it was past his bedtime.
• Julia was crying because she had to sit on the van seat with a bare bottom and it still felt wet from the wipey I used to clean it up.
• Aulora was crying because she didn't like all the other crying.
• John David was fake crying because he's just annoying that way.
• I wasn't crying only because if I started I knew I might never stop!
• We stopped at Sonic to grab dinner.
• Julia got out of her seat belt and crawled to the way back, in the process showing everyone at Sonic her nakedness.
• Joshua spit up on himself and me.
• We pulled in the driveway and as I'm trying to get them all out and in the house the fancy neighbor lady walks over to talk. Julia chose that exact moment to hop out of the car naked.
  
• Dinner actually went well because we were all so hungry. No good stories here.
• The dogs pooped and peed upstairs while we were gone. Don't know why but they did.
  
• Aulora sneaked out of the bedroom while we were brushing teeth and went downstairs where she climbed on the table and got a cup of sprite. It spilled all over her pajamas and the floor. I took her pj's and diaper off and set her a few feet away so I could wipe up the spill. She took that opportunity to pee on the floor.
• FINALLY, I got them all in bed, walked out, and closed the door behind me. Now I'm here, reliving all of the crazy moments of the day. I'm not quite laughing about them yet, but I am feeling a little bit better. Sorry you had to endure this horrible long post - that's assuming that anyone is actually still reading. That's highly doubtful.......
  

Donuts

For anyone wondering how to make donuts, this is how we did it (and yes, I'm sure there are lots of ways to do this but this is the easy, no frills way we do it): You take a can of biscuit dough (we use Pillsbury Grands) and cut each biscuit into fourths. Shape them into balls and fry them in a cooking pan of oil until they are golden brown. Afterwards you can dip in honey, roll in powdered sugar, roll in cinnamon and sugar, make a glaze from powdered sugar and milk, or whatever else floats your boat. One can will make plenty for one round of donuts.

Be sure to call me when you make them so I can come over and test to see if you did a good job. I wouldn't want anyone to suffer through yucky donuts by themselves. =)

Better a Cup than the Floor

I sent Julia upstairs to go potty after we got home today from a play date. I guess she's just not stimulated enough and has to make her own fun, because instead of sitting on the potty she peed in a cup. That's right - a cup. A little dixie bathroom cup! She was very pleased with herself. I finally figured out that she did it because she thought that I had peed in a water bottle! She saw what was left from some crystal light tea (the kind where you pour the packet in the water bottle) and she was convinced it was tee-tee. I guess she thought it looked exciting.

When that girl moves out one day, I'm going to take one VERY long nap and sigh one VERY big sigh of relief. Oh, I'll miss her for sure, but goodness, I'm going to be TIRED!!!

Aulora is a Junkie....

a diaper wipe junkie that is. The child LOVES those things and I can't keep the container full for anything. She likes to clean herself, wash her dollies, use them for little blankets for her babies, and so many other things. If she's ever being fussy in the car I can give her a wipey and she will usually calm down. I really don't have too many places to put things that are out of her reach (especially since she is climbing now!) so they are disappearing extra fast these days. Sigh.....

I still remember.....

.....when I was in first grade and my mom made homemade donuts for us. She made them more than just this one time, but for some reason, I specifically remember that night. We lived in Tempe, Arizona in a 2 bedroom apartment. I don't know think it was any special occasion which made the donuts even better! I happened to think about those donuts today and decided that my own children needed to have some.

After a quick dinner at McDonald's, (yes, we're so very healthy, I know) I led them all into Walmart and got what we needed. We made one batch already and I'm about to go make the rest. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! John David was quite impressed with my donut making skills. I have to admit - they are pretty good. Of course, I'm only eating them so I can make a memory with my kids. It has nothing to do with how they taste. Nothing at all.

Julia the Teacher

This is Julia playing school. She is the teacher and her toys are the students. She was teaching them the alphabet and I'm pretty sure she was singing it wrong. I think she only messed up because she knew she was on video since she never messes up her abc's.....

New at Walmart

Dippin' Dots! They're a different brand (can't remember the name) but they're the same. They come in individual serving size and only cost about $.98. That's only a third of the cost at the mall! Yea!

Bust

My swim suit shopping trip was mostly a bust. I went to Kohl's and they were just too picked over. I did come home with 2 top pieces and one set, but I'm going to take them all back. I just can't spend that kind of money on stuff I don't even like that much.

I decided during all that trying on process that I must tan my legs. My arms aren't a problem - they're already a nice shade, but my legs. Whoa, Nellie! I'm pretty sure my bottom half will look a million times better when sunglasses aren't a necessity to look at them.

So since I didn't get a swimming suit that I'm going to actually keep, Daddy took the oldest two swimming while I stayed at home with the two nappers. You'll pleased to know that I took advantage of that time to sit on a chair in the driveway with only my legs in the sun. I think they were too white for it to do any good though. The sun reflected off of my legs because they are so white. You think I'm kidding. Do you hear me laughing?

Mommy Rule: It is always risky business to take your children who are old enough to talk into dressing rooms with you. Trust me.

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon.....

I'm going swimming suit shopping. Right now. I could take a nap or browse Ebay or read a book or clean or, or, or ANYTHING......but I'm going swimming suit shopping. Bleh.

By the way, I haven't yet decided which way to go - modern with a fat show or old lady skirt that hides it all. It's like choosing how you're going to die. It's all painful - I'm just trying to choose the least painful one. =)

I thought it would be berry good. How wrong I was.....

There's a new kind of Listerine out for kids now - I don't remember what it's actually called, but maybe you've seen the commercials for it. After brushing, you use this rinse and then when you spit it out you look in the sink and there will be proof that it works - dark colored little particles from what you missed brushing (or something like that). It looked fun and I figured healthy teeth are always a good investment so I bought some today at good ol' Wally World. There were only two flavors to choose from. Mint and Berry. It was a no brainer decision as I excitedly tossed the berry flavor into the basket.

Fast forward several hours to the bedtime ritual tonight. I played it up and they happily agreed to try it. I instructed them on the correct way to swish and spit and explained that it needed to be for 60 seconds. For a moment I thought they would both back out as they gazed into their little white cups I had poured the pink stuff in, but when I said "go", they opened their little mouths and in it went.

Exactly 2.5 seconds later, the water was turned on full blast and they were spewing that stuff out like it was castor oil. They just couldn't spit enough. Over and over they filled their little white cups with water and swished and spit, trying to get that "gross" taste out of their mouths. It was pretty ridiculous, let me tell you.

I tried. I lost. Oh well.

Tonight when they asked for a story about when I was little (this is a nightly occurrence and they do not let up until I have recalled at least a couple of exciting childhood tales), I told them about my own fluoride rinse memories. I attended a medium size Christian school for most of my elementary years in Arizona and once a week a lady came in with a tray full of small white cups. Each white cup had a measured amount of fluoride in it. I remember it was green and fluoride-ish tasting. (Imagine that - fluoride that tasted like fluoride). After all the cups were passed out, she would say go and we would have to swish our green stuff for 30 seconds. I have vivid memories of watching the second hand clock of our big white and black classroom clock go slowly around. When the time was up, we would spit the fluoride back into our cup and the lady would walk around with the tray and collect all the used cups. (What a glamorous job that poor woman had.) I don't know why, but I always kind of liked the fluoride swishing time each week. It was exciting for some strange reason. Maybe I just enjoyed a break from reciting the times tables. Who knows.

Not surprisingly, the kids asked for a different story when this one was over. "Don't you have an exciting one? Or a scary one???" This has been going on for a while now. Pretty soon I'm going to have to start making stuff up. But really, what's wrong with a good fluoride story?

Oh the Memories

We didn't have endless nights of marathon human video practice for fine arts this year, but tonight I started practice with a group of elementary kids for "The Devil is Bad" video! And we thought junior high was hard. Whew! I'm tired. It was fun though.....

Julia on May 31, 2008

It was a windy day and she wanted to go inside to eat frosted flakes. I did the best I could, given the circumstances. =)

I did a double take when I saw this at a steakhouse a couple of weeks ago.........

I wonder what the girls in the other stalls though I was taking a picture of?
hahaha!

No, She's Still Julia Julia Julia the Destroyer......

A couple of nights ago, Julia was having an especially hard time going to sleep and staying in bed. (The emphasis would be on especially, since almost every night is a struggle with her.) She got up several times needing to tell me "just one thing". I put an end to it (ha) and finished some work on the computer and relaxed for a while longer. It got late, I was tired, and I knew I had a couple of loads of towels to fold sitting on my bed. I opened my bedroom door (where Joshua was already sleeping in his bed) to find :

One little girl spread out across my bed - which, in case you were wondering, was most certainly made before she got in it and messed it up.

Four crayons neatly broken in half and placed on the bathroom counter.

Fifty-four beads arranged in Julia's next new necklace design.

Five library books out of their basket and two loads of clean laundry spread across my floor and the bed.

You can imagine my excitement, I'm sure. Without a doubt, her little behind would have had some action if she had been awake.

Extrememe Makeover

How could I forget to mention that my precious little angels gave me a makeover tonight??? Story time was over and they were giving me my hugs and kisses when they suddenly decided they wanted to give me a "monster makeover". Let's face it, it was after 10:00 at night and I only got 5 hours of sleep last night, so I was already looking "monsterish" without their help.....but hey, it's all about the kids so I let them have their fun. I really should have taken a picture of the new look but like I already mentioned, I was TIRED. They gave me bows and jewelry and a new hairdo and a sword and perfume. Quite the little ensemble. They were giggling their little bobos off. It was so stinkin' cute! (Them, not me.)

Summer Plans, Swimming Suit Blues, Roller Skatin' Fool

Today we were finally able to have a summer kind of day. I've had at least one sick kid constantly since school has been out until today! Bleh. Julia had a fever of almost 104 last week, poor baby.

You'd think with all that staying at home and not going anywhere because of being contagious, I would have at least been thinking up a plan of fun things to do once everyone was well. But alas, I am not that smart. So tonight I have been quite disappointed to find that many of the really cool summer programs for John David are full. I want to take the kids swimming a lot, but that's going to be kind of hard unless I can find a pool that has a kiddie area. The pools that I've found so far don't have that and they also don't allow any kind of floaties - just life jackets. That's no good for us. PLUS, you can't take in your own food and drinks!

And of course, there's the swimsuit dilemma. As in, I don't have one. If there's any one thing I deplore shopping for, it would have to be a bathing suit. Do I a) go for the skirted one that covers up more of me but ages me 15 or 20 years? Or do I b) get a really cool looking, more modern suit that may will most definitely show just how badly I need to go on a diet? OR c) Just wear an extra large long black tee shirt over whatever old swimming suit I can find on the clearance rack? I'm sure I'll figure something out.

Some things we want to do here in town this summer:

• train museum
• butterfly conservatory
• pick blackberries at the farm and/or go to the farmer's market
• castaway cove water park
• Kell House Museum (an old house - think plantation style - that's still furnished and in tact)
• picnic at the park
• swim swim swim
• ride the trolley around town

Now I just have to figure out how to add these things in to the normal everyday things like cooking, shopping, cleaning, bathing (ok, I admit it, bathing is not an everyday thing here. there's just not always time! we have lots of washcloth baths before bedtime.).

Tonight I cooked mickey mouse spaghetti (mickey shaped pasta!) and we ate outside. Then we played for a long time. John David got some roller skates today so he was rolling around on those while the girls played with the riding toys. That boy wore his skates all afternoon and night until I made him take them off for bedtime. He was so cute! He's really gotten pretty good at it too. It's just amazing how many things he's learning in such a short period of time. I should also mention that he's now playing the piano. He seems to really enjoy sitting down and practicing his songs. I'll put a video up soon.........